NFL playoff predictions are made easier when the Super Bowl pick made before the 2018 season enters the postseason as the favorite to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in February. That's the case for Sporting News and the Saints. We liked New Orleans then, and we still like them now.

But these NFL playoff predictions include much more than SN's Super Bowl pick. Which players are flying under the radar and ready to break out in the playoffs? What playoff team fields the most trustworthy offense? Defense?

NFL playoff predictions

What team playing on wild-card weekend is the biggest threat to win it all?

Haislop: Chargers. Before the 2018 season, SN picked the Chargers to represent the AFC in Super Bowl 53. We can’t back down now. Los Angeles was good enough this season to have had a chance to clinch the No. 1 seed in Week 17. The Chargers failed to do that, of course, with the Chiefs taking care of their own business. But the point still stands: LA, a wild-card team, has a legit case as the best team in the AFC, if not the NFL.

Bender: Chargers. LA finished 7-1 on the road this season, with wins in Seattle, Pittsburgh and Kansas City. The Chargers have a top-10 defense, and Philip Rivers is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2013. It’s a boom-or-bust pick, but this is Rivers’ best shot to get to a Super Bowl in a long time.

Iyer: Chargers. SN picked the Chargers to get there in our preseason predictions, and they’re still dangerous as a top wild card. Rivers’ profile suggests he is overdue to play in a Super Bowl, and they are loaded with playmakers to win games with either explosive offense or shutdown defense. Anthony Lynn is also the most underrated coach in the playoff field.

Steele: Ravens. Yes, it feels like extreme recency bias after they went 6-1 down the stretch with Lamar Jackson and won their division in such dramatic fashion in the final minute of the final game. But because of Jackson, the way they re-imagined their offense, their again-stellar defense, and the way they manhandled their first-round opponent (the Chargers) and fell in overtime to the Chiefs, both on the road … why not?

Which of the four bye-week teams is most prime for an upset?

Haislop: Rams. Of the three teams the Rams could potentially face in the divisional round, all — the Bears, Cowboys and Seahawks — would be a tough matchup for a run defense that ranked 23rd in the league in the regular season with 122.3 yards allowed per game on the ground. LA is fortunate to have its first-round bye, primarily to have Todd Gurley as healthy as possible. But the fact that the Rams’ offense grew stale toward the end of the regular season is a legitimate concern. Especially since all those aforementioned potential opponents also have strong defenses.

Bender: Rams. The instinct is to pick the Chiefs, but how will the Rams respond to either the Bears or the Seahawks if that is the divisional matchup? Chicago punished LA a few weeks ago, and Seattle, a playoff-seasoned team, lost two games to LA by seven points. Maybe the Rams will play the Cowboys, instead, but that wouldn't be easy.

Iyer: Rams. They are limping in with a banged-up Todd Gurley and a shaky Jared Goff leading the once-unstoppable offense, and they have plenty of holes around Aaron Donald on defense. They also are in line to draw the Bears, a team that dominated them at Soldier Field in the regular season, and Chicago will have plenty of fan support in LA in the divisional round.

Steele: Rams. For multiple reasons — Cooper Kupp's absence, Todd Gurley’s odd combo of injuries and strange usage, their secondary flaws and the beatings they took from late-surging contenders in the Bears and Eagles — they are looking vulnerable at the wrong time. Their potential opponents (Bears, Seahawks, Cowboys) all can D up strong. After all the offensive fireworks, they might need Donald to put them on his shoulders. It’s a real load.

Who’s your pick for playoff MVP?

Haislop: Drew Brees. If Brees doesn’t win the MVP award for his efforts during the regular season, it won’t be robbery; the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes did stuff in 2018 only Peyton Manning has done in the NFL. Besides, even though the Saints quarterback has never won the regular-season award, he likely would prefer to be the MVP of the playoffs. That would mean a New Orleans run to the Super Bowl.

Bender: Drew Brees. He’s 5-0 at home in the Superdome in the playoffs, and he averages 254.8 passing yards with 11 TDs and one interception in those games. That’s why home-field advantage was so important.

Iyer: Drew Brees. With Mahomes likely getting regular-season MVP by posting a 50-TD, 5,000-yard effort and ending the sentimental push for Brees, the Saints QB will be just fine if he gets his second Super Bowl MVP, instead. The Saints will have success with the running game and defense, too, as the playoff favorites, but Brees will execute at a high level throwing the ball all over the field with no outdoor road games ahead.

Steele: Drew Brees. The path for Brees and his team is not easy, but it’s convenient, at the Superdome throughout. The weapons are in place. The defense has shown it can step up when needed (as opposed to a year ago). There are two other Super Bowl winners in the NFC field, but they don’t negate what Brees has accomplished as well. It feels like Brees' time.

What under-the-radar player will become a star in the playoffs?

Haislop: Derwin James, S, Chargers. So maybe a first-round draft pick and first-year Pro Bowl selection can’t be an “under-the-radar” player, but James as a rookie has been arguably the best Chargers defender this season. The safety has three picks, 13 passes defended, 3.5 sacks, six QB hits and 105 combined tackles this season. His impact will be felt in the postseason, and if he’s not considered a star already, he will become just that over the next month.

Bender: Damien Williams, RB, Chiefs. The Chiefs lost Kareem Hunt during the regular season, but Williams has proven to valuable between the tackles and as a receiver out of the backfield. He will be heavily involved in the game plan.

Iyer: Demario Davis, LB, Saints. The Saints’ inside linebacker was not the flashiest free-agent signing in 2018, but he was the best in terms of giving his team exactly what It needed: a thumper against the run who can also make big plays against the pass as a both a cover man and blitzer. He and Cameron Jordan will deliver as the team’s defensive leaders for a deep, versatile front seven.

Steele: Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens. The 68-yard strike from Jackson on the season’s penultimate weekend broke open the game against the Chargers in LA. Andrews has been an underrated savior, particularly with Jackson starting. For the season, he led all rookie tight ends in receiving yards with 552 — more than the Eagles’ dangerous Dallas Goedert and far more than teammate and first-round pick Hayden Hurst. At times, he has done more damage than the wide receiver corps the Ravens famously beefed up in the offseason. If opponents can’t slow him down, they’ll struggle to slow down the Ravens.

What offense do you trust the most?

Haislop: Chiefs. This isn't close. The Chiefs led the league in yards per game (425.6) and points per game (35.3) in a year in which offenses as a whole were breaking NFL records. Their quarterback put up numbers only Peyton Manning has managed in the league. Even without Hunt, the creativity of Andy Reid’s offense and the skill of Mahomes gives Kansas City the most trustworthy unit.

Bender: Chiefs. The Chiefs scored at least 26 points in every home game, and despite this being Mahomes’ first go-around in the postseason — and we all know Reid’s track record — it’s time for a breakthrough. This is the year. We think. Hopefully.

Iyer: Chiefs. The Rams and Saints have had bad, out-of-sync games. The Patriots are trying to re-establish their identity as a team that needs to lean more on the running game. The Chiefs haven’t slowed their machine one bit, as Mahomes gives them a high-scoring floor every week, and their running game is getting the complementary job done no matter what back is being featured. They also have the most matchup nightmares across the board, starting with Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce.

Steele: Saints. Yes, the Chiefs and Mahomes’ 50 touchdown passes are in the field, but the exiled Hunt is not. The Rams are out there, but they’ve shown their Achilles heel lately. The Patriots are the Patriots, but Rob Gronkowski is not his usual Gronk, and they’ll miss Josh Gordon badly. The Saints would have to fall flat on their faces to not take over in the playoffs.

What defense do you trust the most?

Haislop: Bears. If the Bears fail to advance in the postseason, it won’t be for a lack of superb defense. Chicago led the league with just 17.7 points allowed per game this season. Given a front that includes Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman, plus a secondary that includes Eddie Jackson, Kyle Fuller and Adrian Amos, plus a middle that features Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith … good luck against that.

Bender: Bears. The Bears are disruptive, they force turnovers and they have Mack. The Eagles will be a popular pick this week, but it’s the Bears who could make a run with that defense in the NFC.

Iyer: Bears. The Ravens, Texans and Cowboys have their cases. But all of those teams can struggle at times in the secondary and don’t always get the sacks and takeaways needed to turn games. The Bears have the superior stuffers and ball hawks on every level and the most disruptive edge rusher in the playoffs in Mack.

Steele: Bears. It only seems like either Mack or Jackson are playing all 11 spots on each play. But they also have beasts in the front seven that can shut down a running game, and arguably the best corner this season in Fuller. They’ve shown what they can do against the Rams, and they pretty much ruined the Vikings’ and Kirk Cousins’ season. Yes, this is headed exactly where it seems to be headed.

Who’s your pick to win the AFC?

Haislop: Chargers. We should know better than to pick against the Patriots, especially when they enter the playoffs with a first-round bye. Bill Belichick’s team remains the most prepared in the league, and the defense has improved just in time to compliment Tom Brady’s offense. So my answer is … the Chargers? Their defense is good enough to bother Brady, and unlike the Jaguars last year, their offense is good enough to build on a lead should New England stage one of its patented rallies.

Bender: Chiefs. It’s all about getting New England out of Foxborough, and that’s what is going to happen. Kansas City has scored 40 or more points in three of the last four meetings with New England, and the teams have split those four games. This time the Chiefs win, and Reid finally gets to the Super Bowl.

Iyer: Chargers. Why back down now from our preseason pick for AFC champions when they’re strong entrants in the tournament? They have proved to be a mighty, fearless road team, and with Rivers, Melvin Gordon and Keenan Allen getting more help of late, they can move the ball on anyone. They also have defenders who can take turns taking over games such as Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, Casey Hayward and James.

Steele: Patriots. Again. For the eleventy-billionth time. The little window for the AFC to push the Patriots against the wall closed fast; the back-to-back weekends of the Miami Miracle and the fade-out in Pittsburgh feel like a million years ago. They got their bye. The Chiefs and Texans still have to prove they can come through this deep in the playoffs. The Ravens are totally capable of getting in the Patriots way — again. This time, for maybe the last time, Brady’s experience will win out against a rookie in, by then, his 10th start.

Who’s your pick to win the NFC?

Haislop: Saints. Much has been made about the fact that the Saints won the Super Bowl the last time they had home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. That’s the Superdome effect, and it’s real. Of course, regardless of where the games are played, New Orleans is simply the best team in the league and has been for most of the season. The defense and running game is in great shape heading into the playoffs, ready to compliment Brees’ precise passing. There are no true weaknesses on this team.

Bender: Saints. It’s home sweet Dome for Drew Brees, but it’s New Orleans’ running game and defense that will carry the team back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2009.

Iyer: Saints. Why back down now for our preseason pick for NFC champions when they have become stronger favorites than we could have imagined? They have few holes and can beat opponents in every way. When Brees is more of the gravy than the meat, you know this is the best team coach Sean Payton has ever had, more talented overall than the Super Bowl 44 champions.

Steele: Saints. Matchups are everything, and a matchup of the Saints’ offense against the Bears’ defense is entirely possible. Traditionally, that means a win for the defense. Not this time, though; not with what the Saints have on their side, the Dome, the memory of that elimination by the Vikings last year, an opportunistic defense of their own and Brees playing to go out on the highest of notes.

Who wins Super Bowl 53?

Haislop: Saints. “The Saints can run and pass on anybody, and their defense is fully loaded from Jordan on the line back to Lattimore in the secondary.” Those were our words in August, when SN picked the Saints to win Super Bowl 53. They still apply in January. The across-the-board talent on the roster, combined with the savvy of Brees, makes New Orleans the safest bet to hoist the Lombardi Trophy … in Atlanta, of all places.

Bender: Saints. A Saints-Chiefs matchup would be the perfect quarterback sell. Brees, who just set the all-time yardage record, meets Mahomes, who just dropped 50 TDs this season. The old guard will root for Brees. The next gen will root for Mahomes. We’ll get a shootout, and Brees will hold up the Lombardi Trophy in the end.

Iyer: Saints. Who Dat that can beat the Saints in the Superdome, and then again at their home away from home in Atlanta? No one. They might as well start preparing Bourbon Street for a pre-Mardi Gras party. Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler, because the Saints are marching methodically to their second world championship.

Steele: Saints. They felt like the right pick from the very end of last year’s postseason, and they have done nothing to dispel that since. They would have to weather one last obstacle, the legacy of Brady, Belichick and the Patriots. Brees, Payton, Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas and the rest will be up to the challenge. Get ready for a second Lombardi Trophy and Ultimate Mardi Gras Redux in New Orleans.